King City's Miller returns to the witness stand

SALINAS &GT;&GT; Brian and Bruce Miller may be fraternal twins, but a picture of how distant they are emerged Friday during the preliminary hearing of a case where they are accused of corruption.

They hardly ever socialize — only when their mutual mother-in-law comes into town, according to Brian Miller's testimony Friday. The brothers are married to sisters, but former King City acting Police Chief Bruce Miller is dedicated to his church, where he spends most of his time off, Brian Miller testified.

As soon as Bruce Miller puts on his uniform and his badge, his brother believes he becomes another person. A person who would not entertain Brian Miller's overtures to toss him over "a bone" and send some tows his way, Brian Miller said.

It was the second day of the preliminary hearing in the corruption case of the Millers, who are accused of operating a towing-impound scheme to obtain vehicles from poor drivers.

According to the prosecution, King City police Sgt. Bobby Carrillo had arranged for Miller's Towing to get a certain number of tows in exchange for cars. On Thursday, Brian Miller testified the first car Carrillo obtained through this scheme was a Ford Expedition in 2009.

During the weekend of July 24-26, 2009, 26 cars were towed in King City, and all were towed by Miller's company. That's how the Ford Expedition ended up in Carrillo's hands, Brian Miller said.

Bruce Miller is accused of having a part in the conspiracy. On Friday, Brian Miller said he didn't believe his brother knew about his dealings with Carrillo.

Brian Miller was cross-examined by attorneys representing Bruce Miller and Carrillo. Several questions focused on the nature of the towing business, whether the cars he would tow for Carrillo were junk and how much he would make on storage fees versus selling the cars after taking possession of them.

Under questioning from Susan Chapman, Carrillo's attorney, Brian Miller said he was very upset by the entire episode and that he sought support from one of the investigators.

"He told me it'd be OK, to tell the truth, to be the better man, that's what he told me," Brian Miller said.

But attorneys wanted to know if investigators had promised to give him a better deal in exchange for his cooperation.

"They have not offered me anything. I thought from TV you have to have an offer before" you testify, he said.

Chapman asked Miller if he would do anything to stay out of jail. Miller is in heavy debt.

Brian Miller explained at some point that he had difficulty remembering dates, but as far as the facts, the paperwork existed so he would corroborate that.

Brian Miller seemed to get confused by the compound questions being asked. He said he felt intimidated by Carrillo and that even though Carrillo never threatened him, he feared his business would suffer if he didn't comply with his request.

Carrillo "would complain because (Bruce Miller) was so freaking honest," Brian Miller said. "He begged for tows but (Bruce Miller) was such a stickler for the rules."

"You never asked your brother to give you more tows?" Chapman asked.

"In a joking manner, I may have. I may have said 'Throw me a bone.' With other officers as well," he said.